New programme to advance diversity and inclusion in research
The North West London Clinical Trials Alliance, which includes the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) North West London, is one of the first research sites to join the new Advancing Inclusive Research Site Alliance.
Launched by Roche UK, the Advancing Inclusive Research Site Alliance aims to advance the diversity and inclusion of underserved patients throughout the company’s clinical trial programme, test recruitment and retention approaches, and establish best practices that can be used across the industry to help achieve health equity for all.
"We're passionate in our belief that everyone has the right to receive the same level of healthcare and the opportunity to access and participate in research regardless of background."
Dr Suki Balendra, director of the North West London Clinical Trials Alliance and director of strategic partnerships for Paddington Life Sciences, said: "North west London covers a population of 2.6 million people, half of whom come from a diverse background. We're passionate in our belief that everyone has the right to receive the same level of healthcare and the opportunity to access and participate in research regardless of background.
"The lack of diversity in trials is a real obstacle to understanding the safety and efficacy of novel therapies across different populations, which is vital to advancing equity. Joining the Advancing Inclusive Research Site Alliance will promote partnership between the NHS, research and industry and present a tremendous opportunity to cultivate and sustain clinical trial diversity."
Also joining Roche UK’s Advancing Inclusive Research Site Alliance is the NIHR CRN West Midlands, with plans to expand to more research centres in the near future.
Each centre joining the Alliance will focus on enabling the participation of historically underrepresented patient groups in clinical trials, working collaboratively to share key learnings and exploring innovative ways of increasing clinical trial access for every patient who might benefit. The ultimate goal is to build a robust and sustainable clinical research ecosystem that actively includes diverse patient groups.
"We recognise we cannot drive the change alone and through the Advancing Inclusive Research Site Alliance we’re partnering with highly experienced and trusted research centres..."
Richard Erwin, general manager, Roche Products Ltd, added, "Representation of real-world patient populations is critical to improve clinical outcomes and ensure health equity for all patients. The recruitment of people from minority ethnic groups is a pressing concern for researchers and the research community. We recognise we cannot drive the change alone and through the Advancing Inclusive Research Site Alliance we’re partnering with highly experienced and trusted research centres located in areas with significant patient diversity. Programmes such as this one are vital in helping us enhance the future designs of our clinical trials and ensure greater inclusion and better access to all of our clinical trials."
Advancing Inclusive Research is vital as not all segments of the population have benefited from advances in science and medicine. Distinct populations have been understudied in science, underrepresented in research and underserved by medicine. Representative data of real world patient populations is lacking, preventing effective clinical outcomes for all patients.
